"The Polar Express" audiocassette feat. William Hurt

In 1989, Houghton-Mifflin, publishers of the Chris Van Allsburg's classic 1985 Christmas story "The Polar Express", produced an audiocassette recording featuring a score, sound effects, and the rockin' pipes of actor William Hurt. I grew up with this recording, and it is therefore quite special to me.

In 2009, for the book's 25th anniversary, a new CD recording was produced, featuring Liam Neeson. You can hear a sample of that recording here:

http://www.soundscapeboston.com/sounds/Polar_Express.mp3

Now, no offense to the Jedi Master, but Hurt's deeper voice and genuine Yankee accent (as opposed to Neeson's light Irish drawl) are better fits for this story, and the '89 production has a much more appropriately understated score and sound effects.

I post the Hurt recording in full because Houghton-Mifflin has not seen fit to make it available on CD or digital form; if it ever does, I'll happily remove this video. Until then, however, they should put the '89 audio up on iTunes/Amazon mp3 forthwith!

Enjoy the story. :)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Polar Express
• Chris Van Allsbug
• William Hurt
• Out of Print Recordings

[reynoldsworthington]

Thank you so much Doug! My sister and I grew up with this too, and we realized tonight that we lost the tape somewhere between last Christmas Eve and tonight. Fortunately, a quick YouTube search led us to your video.  Thanks for saving Christmas.

[dougccdoug]

@reynoldsworthington You're quite welcome! :)

[mrpierre34]

Lol

[airmanedwards55]

We lost the tape too... I grew up with this so THANK YOU!!! 

[CJDownz]

Couldn't agree more Doug. HM should have released this on a CD or iTunes. It's a great recording and like others before, we lost our tape too. I've been searching You Tube for a few years now and finally we can listen to the original William Hurt version. Thanks.

[cephiedsoul]

AMAZING. Looked all over for this last year. I just missed it. Used to listen to it with my folks each year but we also lost the tape. Bought the new version with Liam Neeson. It's good. But we missed the original. Tapes were selling online of the William Hurt version for ridiculous prices. Thanks for sharing!

[megandog7]

I like it, but make it a review!

[deaners02]

This is what I grew up with --thank you so much!!

[pyrolillycherry]

OMG I am freaking 10 years old again. You just made my Christmas. :D

[kemiemja]

This is the BEST reading of "The Polar Express"! William Hurt's voice is amazing. I am using your YouTube recording for my kindergarten class tomorrow because my old cassette just won't play anymore. Thank you!!!

[railfanatic844]

MY GOD! I grew up to the book and this recording! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! :DDDD

[animagigirl]

When I was younger, we would listen to this whilst in bed,every noght from thanks giving to christmas